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Places
to visit
The national museum “Vasil Levski” and the museum of history are among the most
often visited places where the guests of the town can be acquainted with the
history of Karlovo.
The museum of history is in the building of the former five-grade school for
boys – one of the most representative architectural monuments from the time of
the Bulgarian Revival. During its 100 years existence the museum of history
has kept monuments of culture from ancient times to the present day,
including the wide diversity of crafts that flourished here; very attractive
are the mummers’ costumes connected with the traditional festival in Karlovo.
The national museum “Vasil Levski” is situated in the western part of Karlovo
on the road to Sopot. The house where the great Apostle of Freedom was born
still preserves the spirit of the ancient times. Hidden behind its high white
wall, huddled among shrubs and vines, with cobbled paved yard, flower gardens
and stone fountains, it accurately preserves the atmosphere of the old days.
The house was restored in its original form and was opened as a museum in year
1937. It became one of the most attractive and often visited memorial places
in Bulgaria.
Especially attractive and interesting for tourists is the old town with its
115 houses and monuments of culture. Spacious and functional, the houses are
of high architectural value and still preserve the charm of the old days. In
the centre of the old town, at the square between the two churches, stands
the impressive monument of Vasil Levski, built in 1907. Both churches
reflect the grown national self-esteem of Karlovo’s citizens during the
Revival. After the Liberation, imposing bell towers were built next to the
churches.
Festivities
Karlovo is a centre of celebration of many local, regional and national
holidays. A great tourist attraction is the Rose festival as well as the
Mummers (Kukeri) day celebration. The Mummers days are traditionally
celebrated on the first week before Lent. At that time Mummers from the whole
region gather in Karlovo to present their colourful costumes, masques and
ritual dances.
The Day of the Rose has been celebrated in Karlovo for nearly a century
already. The festival takes place on the day of the Holy Spirit, when roses
are in their full blossom. The tradition has been enriched through the years
and nowadays it is celebrated with concerts, many cultural events. The whole
town is decorated with rose wreaths and the wonderful fragrance of the world
famous Bulgarian rose fills the air. The ritual “rose picking” is
demonstrated in the rose fields outside the town. Boys and girls dressed in
colourfully embroidered national costumes gather and dance under the sounds
of Bulgarian folk music. From the rose garden the celebration moves to the
central square of Karlovo where through a competition the
Queen of Roses is chosen. Then follows the folklore part of the celebration
in which the most famous folklore singers and dancing groups from the region
take part. The exciting ceremony ends with a ring dance. Splendid fireworks
accompany the final concert in the evening.
Nature
For the mountain lovers, of particular interest is the Central Balkan
National Park – one of the three national parks in Bulgaria. Covering an area of 73250 ha
it preserves self-regulated ecosystems and their endemic species diversity,
phenomenal landscapes and natural sights of world importance for science and
culture (like the waterfalls Rayskoto Praskalo, Suchurum, Karlovskoto
Praskalo). The territory of the park includes 9 reserves, representing the
unique natural heritage of the Balkans. Central Balkan National Park is part
of the European network of protected
territories PAN Parks.
Nature offers many opportunities for conquerors of peaks that can climb Mount Botev (2,376m) the highest peak in
Stara Planina, and for alpinists, who can climb the Paradise Rocks, as well
as for delta and paragliding.
In the region of Karlovo there is a network of well kept chalets and marked
mountain routes. They are all electrified and offer excellent opportunities
for mountain tourism. There is also a local office of the Mountain Control
and Rescue Service to help in emergencies.
This is a brief overview of the history, the lovely nature and the modern
development of Karlovo and the region. In order to get a real feeling of the
area, come, see, and experience the excitement of being in this great part of
Bulgaria.
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